It’s crucial that you maintain your air conditioning unit to make sure it runs smoothly and operates for years to come. No matter what kind of AC unit you may have, it should last for a number of years, as long as you take good care of it. To help get you started, follow our guide below to keep your AC unit in peak shape.
1. Regularly Clean your AC Unit
Even if you have protection on your AC unit, it will still need routine cleanings to run efficiently. Since it’s located outdoors, it’s bound to get dirty, in which case you’ll need to remove dirt, dust, and other debris that can prevent your AC unit from working optimally.
2. Inspect Your AC Unit for Leaks
You should inspect your air conditioner every few months to check for leaks or cracks. However, if you notice a leak in the hose, you could have an air conditioner broken sooner than you think. Proper air conditioner maintenance can help prevent this from happening, as well as any other further damage or sign of wear.
3. Allow Your AC Unit to Circulate Air
Your AC unit’s main purpose is to push cold air into your home, so it’s important that your AC doesn’t suffer from obstructions that can prevent it from doing its job. You can easily do this by opening up your AC unit or having a professional clear the system of any dirt or debris that may be clogging the system.
4. Don’t Run Your AC Unit Non-Stop
If you run your air conditioner 24/7, it will wear out sooner than you’d want, which can cause it to run into a number of problems. If you plan on leaving your home during the day, it’s important that you turn it off before you leave and give it a break once in awhile. Additionally, turning your AC to push air into your home, but not cool it, can help prolong its shelf life and prevent it from burning out.
5. Clean Your AC Unit’s Air Ducts
In some cases, the reason your home may not be cooling fast enough it because your air ducts may be dirty and/or clogged. Cleaning out your AC’s air ducts can easily solve this problem and should be a regular practice. In addition to unclogging your AC system, cleaning your AC unit’s air ducts can also greatly improve the air quality in your home by reducing the amount of dust being pushed into your house via your AC.
6. Change Your AC Unit’s Filter
You should change your air conditioning unit’s filter about every 30 to 60 days, depending on how much you are using it. During the summer and other times when your unit is undergoing heavy use, you should change the filter more frequently. Many homeowners forget this step and suffer because of it. With a clogged filter, your unit will have to work harder to complete its job. This lowers the efficiency and costs you more money. Make your AC system last longer and function better by replacing your filters often.
7. Get Routine AC Tune-ups
One of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your air conditioning unit is getting it checked up regularly. Schedule your tune-up with a professional in the spring so you can make sure it is functioning properly in the summer when you really need it. By performing routine air conditioner maintenance, you can keep your unit working in like new condition, catch any problems before they worsen, and prevent new issues from arising.
Here are a few more benefits of routine air conditioner tune-ups:
– Boost Durability: By getting your unit thoroughly checked, you can extend its usable life. Because your unit will be more durable, you can put off buying a new one. This, combined with fewer issues, will end up saving you money.
– Lower your Energy Bills: If your system is maintained properly, it will not need to work as hard to cool your home and reach ideal temperatures. Since the unit does not need to work as hard, it will use less energy and cost less to operate.
– Increase Reliability: When you get your unit tuned up every year, you limit the risk of an air conditioner broken mid-summer when you need it most. You don’t need to worry about emergency repairs when your system is clean and nonfunctional parts are repaired.
Are you finding your AC unit not performing as well as it should be? With the help of our tips above, you should be able to prevent your AC unit from breaking, while improving its performance at the same time. After all, the last thing you want to do is pay hundreds in repair costs for small everyday maintenance tasks you could have done to prevent severe damage to your home’s AC unit.